Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-13
About the Weather Bureau.

To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
For the last six years the predictions Of the
weather Bureau have been failing at great rate,
SO much so that the signal officer in his last report
Il believe) states that his correct verificatiOns
were seventy odd per cent only. Now, we all know
with what ability the weather maps and predlc-
lions under Gen. Myer were conducted-sO much
so that every one had full faith In his predictions
and acted accordingly, as his correct predictions
were 80 per cent. The weather predictions for the
last two years have been such that no one who
reads the predictions from day to day has any con-
ndence In them, as the failures have been so fire.
quent. This complaint, or rather want Of conf
dence is not confined TO this city, but extends all
over the country, and only need to refer to the
article In the Sunday New York Tribune In regard
10 Sergeant Buell. being relieved and sent to Texas
In yesterdays STAR 1t Is stated that Gen. Greedy
says Buell. was removed because he received pay for
making maps for the board OF trade OF Chicago.
Chicago board OF trade and the shippers employed
and paid Buell., while he was not on duty, to make
predictions which they had confidence In, and no
confidence in the predictions sent from Washing
ton, which were unreliable. Now, for years have
examined the weather map daily to see what the
and have IS saved myself eG many hund hes
OF dollars by observing the map; but
the predictions for the last two years have
been such that have paid no attention to them,
but have examined the map and formed my own
opinions, and such has been the course OF many
others that / know. The map at the city post
u
cult at times to see 1t for some minutes. The map,
up to two weeks ago, showed at each signal sta
ton in this country the temperature, state OF
barometer, direction and velocity OF wind, state Of
atmosphere clear, rain or snow, and the high and
low barometer. Now, with this data, person can
In minute II he takes an interest in the weather,
soon make predictions himself. But in the last
two weeks all this has been omitted, and In its
place column OF ngures has been placed on the
right side OF the map, stating change OF barometer
four hours Now, Mr. Editor, the way the map Is
an hour TO put down at each station the readings,
has, TO do this. Why cannot the weather map be
printed as founded by Gen. Myer and so continued
up 10 two weeks ago? 1t costs no more. The
Weather Bureau was established for the benefit OF
the people principally shippers and farmers). 1t is
now no more use TO them than the weather map OF
England. hope that this article will be noticed
by the various boards OF trade, shippers and
farmers OF this country, and especially by men,
bers Of Congress, and II the evil is not corrected
and the map printed as 1t was up to two weeks
ago, the sooner the Weather Bureau Is abolished
the better 1t will be for the country and people
And In case 1t is abolished hope that Congress
Will give a good sum Of money to the New York
Herald TO continue its reports, which are con-
suited not only by the people OF this country but
OF England; and its predictions are SO reliable
that have subscribed for the Herald on account
OF its weather predictions. Articles in your valu-
able and ever-appreciated paper have corrected
many wrongs, and hope 1t will not fail now, when
such great interests are at stake. SUBSCRIBER